Thursday in the HTR, we learned that MPSD has retooled the three referendum questions that were defeated in the November election. I submit that removing the word “recurring” and replacing it with a stated three-year limit does not qualify as “retooling.”

Taxes will still increase by an additional $77 per $100,000 of property value per year, for three years. Most of these taxpayers are middle class people, already squeezed by higher insurance costs, higher prices for groceries and stagnant income. Taxpayers are the ones who will have to “retool.”

There were some conflicting comments by board members in the HTR article. One stated that with respect to the $1 million referendum, maybe they would only need to use $800,000 of that money. Another member said that they had previously “considered larger dollar amounts” and that these current requests represent a “baby step, even if approved.” That means this will only help for three years and they will be back for more.

The district has adamantly refused to consider cost-saving measures. After the November defeat, they discussed various cuts but gave none of them serious consideration. Board Chair Linda Gratz received a suggestion for cost-saving changes to employee health insurance benefits. Manitowoc County saved $750,000 a year by reorganizing their insurance plan involving spouses. Did MPSD even look at that? Of course not!

These referendums are an escape from taking responsibility and carefully managing their budget. It was even mentioned at the Jan. 13 board meeting that if these referendums pass, they won't even need to make any of the cuts they had proposed after the November defeat.

Vote “No” on these referendums again until they are seriously “retooled.”